LOS ANGELES – (WBAP/KLIF) – Federal officials announce the arrest of a Florida and California resident in the January-sparked wildfires in southern California that killed at least 12 people and wiped out thousands of homes. 29 year old Jonathan Rinderknecht is reported to have been in the L.A. area working as an Uber driver. Officials say they believe Rinderknecht was described by passengers as “agitated and angry” the night he’s now accused of starting the fire.
Officials in a news conference Wednesday say Rinderknecht was a resident of Pacific Palisades, the area burned, and was familiar with the neighborhood where he is accused of starting the fire January first. Firefighters quickly tapped that blaze, but it’s believed the fire re-ignited and was whipped up by seasonal winds.
ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles area Kenny Cooper says Rinderknecht is charged with
destruction of property by means of fire, a felony that carries a mandatory minimum five-year federal prison sentence and is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Officials say the case is headed to a grand jury from which more charges may be expected.
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